CONSIDER THE LILIES:
"Yet, the Great Ocean hath no tone of power/
Mightier to reach the Soul, in thought's hushed hour,/
Than yours, ye Lilies! Chosen thus and graced!"
- Felicia D. Hemans

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Putting God on hold

This weekend some one told me I had three choices, I could walk away from God and what I profess to believe, I could do nothing while waiting for lightning to strike, or I could choose to pursue God and his purposes for my life and become the person I was created to be in relationship with God. I realized that I had basically put God on hold, only calling on him when I needed help with an urgent situation. Not only does my life fail to line up with what I claim are my beliefs, I also don't see myself the way he sees me. He sees me as beautiful, worthy, accepted, and I see myself as full of ugliness, not worth the price he paid for me, and not acceptable to God.

I need to see Jesus and his eyes full of love. I need to see myself through his eyes. I need an encounter with the living God. I need a transformation, a renewal, and major renovation from the inside out.

The words of a familiar song should become my habitual prayer, "Oh Lord, you're beautiful. Your face is all I seek. For when your eyes are on this child, your grace abounds to me."

I can no longer afford to put God on hold and live life in my own comfortable rut, making my daily choices selfishly and foolishly. If what the Bible says about God and myself is true, then some things have to change, starting with my heart and my way of seeing, and continuing into all areas of my life and all parts of myself. What will following Christ entail and what will it cost?

Beauty for Ashes

Some days life isn't easy, but to me there is always a rose amongst the thorns. Taking time to be grateful can be tough, but there are so many blessings all around if you have but eyes to see them. Listen to the rain, or feel the wind against your face, or the sun with its radiant warmth on an autumn afternoon. It is easy to see all the problems and the worries come creeping in so quickly like so many weeds in your garden... It is good to know the Gardener and have him at work. He gives you beauty for ashes, and the oil of gladness in place of your mourning. Trust him and you will begin to bear fruit as you welcome the rain and the sunlight and the Gardener's gentle nail-scarred hands.